Seat suspension.



D. F. OLIVER.

SEAT SUSPENS|0N. APPLlCATION FILED APR.28. 1914. RENE'WED NOV. 3. 1917.

Patented May 28, 1918.

8 SHEETS-SHEET I.

l N V EN 'LO R jacfor]? OZ imp/1 WITN ESSES:

D. F. OLIVER.

SEAT SUSPENSION. 7 APPLICATION man APR-28,1914. RENEWED NOV. 3. 1911.

Patented May 28; 1918.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

D. F. OLIVER.

SEAT SUSPENSION.

APPLICATION FILED APR.28.1914. RENEWED NOV. 3.1911.

Patented May 28, 1918.

8 SHEETSSHEET 3.

ail

WITNESSES:

D. F. OUVER.

SEAT SUSPENSION.

APPLICATION FILED APR.2B,1914. RENEWED Nov. 3, 1917.

1 ,26'1792. V Patented May 28,1918.

8 SHEETSSHEET 4- I IN VENTOR D. F. OLIVER.

I SEAT SUSPENSION.

APPLICATION HLED APR-2B. 1914- RENEWED NOV- 3,191].

1,267,792. Patented May 28,1918.

8 SHEETs-SHEET 5.

YVITNESSES: INVENTOR In. F. OLWER.

SEAT SUSPENSION. APPLLQATLON EILED APR.28. I514. RENEWED NOV. 3,1917.

Patented May 28, 1918.

8 SHEETSSHEET 6- I INVESTOR v jaciorj'fiiz'yen' Fi jd? D. F. OLIVER.

SEAT SUSPENSION.

APPLICATION FlLED APR. 28. 1914- RENEWED NOV= 3.1911.

1 ,267,792. Patented May 28, 1918..

INVESTOR D. F. OUVER.

SEAT SUSPENSION. 7 APPLICATION FILED APB.28. 19 14. RENEWED NOV. 3. I917.

1,267,792. Patented May 28,1918.

8 SHEETS-SHEET a.

u w Y 10 31$ my, 51; r

DOCTOR F. OLIVER, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

SEAT SUSPENSION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 23, 1918.

Application filed April 28, 1914, Serial No. 834,931.' Renewed November 3, 1917. Serial No. 200,195.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Doo'ron F. OLIVER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Seat Suspensions, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in the body and chassis construction of motor vehicles.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide an improved form of chassis and body for motor vehicles, and the like, which is particularly constructed for the purpose of gaining greater rigidity and strength, graceful lines, and very much increased floor area within the car. Another object of the invention is to provide a novel form of folding top, with means for securing same in both a folded and an extended position. Another object of the invention is to provide a novel form of seat construction and a spring support for same. Further objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction and combination of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section t-hrough the car.

Fig. 2 is a plan section on line 22, Fig. 1, one half showing the seating arrangement of the car and the other half showing the chassis frame construction.

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a section on line 4.d, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a partial side elevation showing the folding top construction.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a plan view, partly broken away, showing the manner of folding the side windows.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the folding top supporting shaft.

Fig. 9 is a detail of a lock used in connection with the folding top.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the rear seat, showing its position with relation to the body of the car.

Fig. 11 is a cross section on line 11-11, Fig. 2.

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal section through the spring-actuated scat-supporting shaft.

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the pivoted side seat in closed position.

Fig. 14 is a similar view showing the pivoted side seat in open position.

Fig. 15 is a vertical transverse section on line 1515 Fig. 13.

Fig. 16 is a front elevation of the pivoted side seat in closed position.

Fig. 17 is a detail section of a lock used in connection with the pivoted side seat.

Fig. 18 is a detail of a top locking latch used in connection with the folding top.

Fig. 19 is a horizontal section of same on line 1919, Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is an elevation of the side lock used in connection with the folding top.

Fig. 21 is a vertical section of same on line 2121, Fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is a detail vertical section of a spring latch used in connection with the folding top.

- Fig. 23 is a horizontal section on line 23 23, Fig. 22.

Fig. 2t is a detail view of a window sash and sash lock.

Fig. 25 is a plan section on line 2525, Fig. 24.

Fig. 2G is a plan section on line 2525, Fig. 24, showing the sash in the open position.

on line 27-27, Fig. 28.

Fig. 28 is a vertical cross section on line 2s 2s, Fig. 27.

Fig. 29 is a view of the keeper on the door jamb. v

Fig. 30 is a perspective detail of the locking sleeve.

Fig. 31 is a cross section on line 31-31, Fig. 27.

Fig. 27 is a central section of the door loci:

Fig. 32 is a side elevation of the rear portion of the chassis frame.

Fig. 33 is a plan view of same.

Fig. 34 is a section on line 3434:, Fig. 33.

Fig. 35 is a section on line 38-38 of Fig. 32.

Fig. 36 is a vertical transverse section on line 36-36 of Figs 34.

Fig. 37 is a detail view of a modification.

Referring to Figs. 1, .2, 3 and 4 of the drawings, A indicates the standard form of channel beams usually employed in the construction of chassis frames. Suitably secured on the top of said beams, and extending a considerable distance outside of same,

the car, we

is a plurality of cross beams or bars 2. Secured to the outer ends of each cross-car exterior to the channel beams A is a rec:- tang'ular-shaped bracket frame 3, and running' narallel with the channel heains A er:- terior to same and secured, as at l, to the brackets 3, is a pair of vertically disposed sill "gilates 5. The sides of the body 8, together with the uprights 7, are secured in the outer ends of the cross-bars 2 and the door of the body or car, indicated at 8, is supported upon the vertically disposed sill plates and cross-bars 2. The "floor area of the car or body is in this instance considerablv increased for the simple reason that the ilodr extends out to the sides of the body, as indicated in Figs. 52, 3 and h which in turn are positioned a considerable distance outside of the main channel beams of the chassis! The running board 9 of the car is secured to the bottom of the bracket frames 8, but is only exposed at the door entrances or" the car, 10 and 11 indicate the side doors of the car. Secured to each door is an extension 12 in the form oi? receptacle, the shape of which is indicated in Fig. 2. The top of this receptacle is flush with the floor of the car and forms a portion of the floor when the door is closed. The bottom portion of the receptacle, which is above the running board, will completely inclose and hide same when the door is closed. The opening of the door, referring to Figs. 2 and 3, exposes only that nortion of the running board 9 which errtends across the door openin This forms a step for the passengers when entering the car is otherwise completely hidden and covered, when the door is closed, by the receptacle 12a The top of the receptacle, or that portion which registers with the liner of the car is preferably hinged! as at 13, to gain admissionto the interior of the receptacle, which receotacle may be used as a tool chest; or like device, The remaining spaces, on both sides of the car, shown at hi which are formed between the vertical sill plates and the sides of the body be similarly used as receptacles for "various purposes. The vertical sill plates 5 extend from end to end oi the car and run substantially parallel with the main channel beams of the chassis. Great rigidity and strength are thus secured and the door are lsed without increasing the width or otherwise the construction ,of the running gear or chassis frame.

The body in this instance provided with a folding top, which is indicated in l, 5, 6 and The folding top consists of rear posts l5 hinged as at 16, to the rear end of in secured. as at 1?, to the posts 15 is a t 9 section secured rront of the top section 18 is a secondary section 19. Pivotally secured on each side of the body of the car, as at 20, is an arm 21. The upper end of each arm is slotted, as at 22, to straddle and engage a friction latch 23 secured on the rear post 15 of the folding top. Each arm 21 is secured to a shaft 2%, a detail or" which is shown in Fig. 8. This shaft extends through the end of the body, and secured to the shaft is a pair of set collars with nrojecting lugs 25, between which and the loo oi the car a pair of coil springs 26 is mounted. The tension of these coil springs is directed to resist the downward increment of the arms 21 in the direction of arrow on or, in other words, to counterbalance the weight oi the folded top when this is folded into the dotted line position indicated at 27, 5.

The folding of the top is accomplished in the following manner:

I"; latch 28, detail VlEWS of which are shown in Figs. 18 and 19 is first released, A second latch detail views of which are shown in Figs. 20 and 21 is next released. This oerrnits section 19 of the top to be folded down and back in the direction of arrow 5 until it assumes a position directly under the top section 18, where it is secured by a latch 30 detail views of which are shown in Figs. 22 and 23.

The rear posts 15 of the folding top, referring to Fig. 5 are then pulled back in the direction of arrow at about the hinge 16; the weight of same being counterbalanced by the spring tension on the arms 21. Section 18, together with section 19 which has already been folded into interlocking position with same, wil told clear hack and assume the horizontal position indicated at 27, and the downward movement of the posts 15, with connected top sections 18 and 19, is limited by the length of the slots 22 in the upper ends of the arms 21, as the friction latches 23 form stops'when they engage the lower ends of the slots :22. The parts may here he looked oy turning a thumb-screw 81 shown in 9. The inner end of the thuinhscrew 31 is conical in shape and the inner end oi the slot 22 is slightly countersunlr, as at 32 to form seat into which the conical end or the thumb-screw 31 may register to lock tie parts against upward movement.

The folding top may he extended or raised into position by releasing the tension on the friction stops 23 or by turning the thumb-screws 31 out of locking position The posts 15 may tnen he raised about the hinges 16 into the n" 'ght position. The top 18 is neat swung into position and se cur-c by the latches 29. The top section 19 is then released from the spring latch 36 and swung in the e: 'cnded position shown in l where it is secured hy the latch 28:

Very little manual labor or strength is needed in connection with the operation of this top as the weight of same is perfectly countel-balanced by the tension of the springs 26. The mounting of the rear seat of the car forms another important feature of the present invention. This is accomplished in the following manner:

33 indicates the frame of the rearseat of the car which may be upholstered in any suitable manner not here shown. 34 indicates a U-shaped link, the outer ends of which are pivotally secured in the sides of the body at 35, while the inner end of the link is secured-by brackets 36 to the back of the seat frame.

Suitably secured by brackets 37 to the bottom of the seat frame is a cross-shaft 38, the outer ends of which are secured in crank arms 39. The crank arms 39 are pivotally mounted in the sides of the body, as at 40..

Surrounding the shaft 38 and completely inclosing same is a cylindrical shaped casing 41, and secured to the outside of said casing is a worm wheel 42 with which a worm gear 43 engages. The worm gear 43 is secured upon a shaft, indicated at 44, which in turn is mounted in journaLbrackets 45 secured on the bottom of the seat frame. The outer end of said shaft is provided with a hand-wheel 46 which may be turned to change the position of the housing 41. The object of this will later be described.

The central portion of the shaft 38, interior of the casing, is left and right hand threaded, as indicated at- 47 and 48', from a central point, and engageable with said threaded portions is a pair of nuts 47 and- 48 which are grooved on their outer peripheries to engage keys 49 secured on the inner face of the cylindrical casing. Interposed between the nuts 47 and 48 is a coil spring 50, and interposed between the ends of the casing and the nuts is a pair of springs 51 and 52. The turning movementof shaft 38 in either direction will cause the nuts 47 and 48 to move in or out with relation to the-center of the casing and consequently either compress the centrally disposed spring or the end springs 51 and 52.

Any weight on the rear set will have a tendency to cause the seat, which is supported by the crank arms 39 and the U- shaped link 34, to drop down about the pivot points of said link and arms. This movement is, however, resisted by the springs 51 and 52. The tension of said springs maybe increased or decreased by turning the housing 41 through means of the hand-wheel 46 and worm gear 43, as before described. The tension of the springs may thus be adjusted to support two or three persons or vice versa. A seat constructed and mounted in the manner shown is very easy riding as the jolts and rebounds are first absorbed by the chassis frame and then by the springs 50, 51-

and 52.

The side seats of the car, generally indicated at 53, Fig. 1, and detailed in Figs. 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 are also constructed in a novel manner. The side seat is here shown as consisting of a frame 54 which is supported on a swivel plate 55. The back portion 56 of the seat is rigid with the frame while the seat proper, indicated at 57, is adapted to be extended or closed up, as indicated in Fig. 15, said seat being pivotally secured to the main frame as at 58. This seat, when not in use, is closed up, as indi cated in Figs. 13, 15 and 16, and the frame 54 is turned into the position indicated in Fig. 13 where it requires the least space possible. When it is desired to use the seat, it is accomplished by first turning it about the swivel plate 55 into the position indicated in Fig. 14. The seat proper is then-folded down about the hinges 58. The position of the seat may be changed to any suitable angle and secured in position by a latch 59, indicated in Fig. 17. This latch is carried by the back frame 56 of theseat and may be lifted up and down by an eye extension 60 to be brought into engagement with any one of a series of perforations 60. The seat when in the extended position may thus be locked in any suitable angular position and is. furthermore, prevented from turning when the car is traveling down an incline.

Means have also been provided in the present case for locking the window sashes, indicated at 61, and also for the purpose of securing same in a partly open position. This is accomplished by means of a latch, generally indicated at 62 in Figs. 1, 24, 25 and 26. The latch consists of a U-shaped section of spring wire 63, one leg of which issecured in brackets 64 and 65 secured upon the window sash. The lower bracket 64 is provided with a hook extension 66. Se-

cured in the frame 67, as at 68, is an angularly disposed bracket having a notch 69 formed therein. The opposite leg of the U- shaped spring wire is looped, as at 70. on its lower end to form a hand grip and 1s, furthermore, provided with one or more notch-like bends 71.

If it is desired to lock the sash in the closed position shown in Figs. 24 and 25, it is accomplished by swinging one leg of the spring wire latch over the angularly disposed bracket 68 and forcing the lower end of said leg into engagement with the hooklike extension on the bracket 64. This looks the sash securely with relation to the frame and also prevents any rattling of the sash as it is held closed under a spring tension. If it is desired to secure the sash in a partly open position, as indicated in Fig. 26, for the purpose of securing ventilation within the car, it is accomplished by releasing the spring latch, with relation to the hook 063, and forcing the sash outwardly until latch 71 rides into register with the notch 69 on the stationary frame bracket. The outward movement of the sash causes the spring latch to assume an angular position which, increases the spring tension of the latch sufficiently to prevent notch 71 to become accidentally disengaged with relation to the notch in the stationary angle bracket.

i-l. novel iorin oi door loclr has also been provided in the present invention. This lock consists of a bolt "1'2 turnably mounted in a plate Y3. Secured approximately in a central position with relation to plate 73 by the bolt 72 is a latch 74;, and seciired to the inner end ofthe bolt is a handle 75 by which the bolt and latchmay be operated from the inside otthe car.

The outer end of the bolt is suitably secured to a knob 70, in which'is mounted a novel form of Yale loclr 77.. The Yale loci: in this instance is provided with a barrel Z8 and tumblers 79 of the usual construction, which are adapted to be operated and turned by a key 80. The novelty in connection with the Yale loci: in the present instance consists in providing a threaded extension 81, on the inner end oi the barrel, uponwhich is mounted an internally threaded sleeve 82 dice-ted at T3. it it is desired to lock the door from the outside, it is accomplished by inserting the key 80 and turning the barrel. This causes the sleeve 82 to move in an inward direction and will consequently bring the pins 83 into register with the sockets 84: in the door plate. It will thus be impossible to turn knob 76 with connected bolt 72 and latch 74.

The latch 7 1 is in this instance engageable with a pocket 85 formed in a door framing plate 80. Entrance to pocket 85 is gained by moving the latch '14 over a cam face 8? which gives the latch an easy admission and at the same time secures it when once in position. A spring 88, shown in Fig. 28, secured on the rear side oi the door plate 73 engages with the rear side. of the latch and throws it into engagement with the latch 85 when these are brought into register. The door can thus be slammed closed and cannot be opened except by turning the bolt 82 either through the medium of the knob 76 or the'handle 75.

The supporting of the chassis, with relation to the rear axle of-the car, forms another important feature of the present invention. This is accomplished as follows:

80 indicates rear axle of uitably secured to said axle by el-bolts is a standard 91,011 the upper end of which is formed a socket 91, particularly shown in Figs. 32, 33, 3d and 35. v

Suitably secured to the channel heains A, near their rear ends, through the medium of brackets 92 is a cylindrical-shaped casing or housing 93, and journaled in said housing is a horizontally disposed shaft 9% which is provided with right and left-hand threaded sections 95 and 9d Engageable with said threaded sections is a pair oi'nuts 95 and 90 which are grooved on their outer peripheries and are engageable with keys 9'? secured on the interior of the casin ihese prevent the nuts from revolving and will consequently cause same to move in or out with relation to a central point on the shaft when the shaft is turned. -ll/loveinent of the nuts in either direction is however, resisted by a centrally disposed spring 98 and a pair of end springs 99 and 100.

n Secured on the outer end of the shart J4,

.as 101, is a gear segment 102, and turn- V termeshing with segment 102 is a worm-gear 105. Formed on' the upper end of the Shah; upon which gear 105 is mounted 1s a square section 106 by which gear 105 may be turned.

".lhe gear 105, together with the segment 102, is provided iorthe purpose of adgustr i the tension of the springs 98, 99v and By turning the worm-gear it can be seen that movement will be transmitted to segment 102, causing thlsto turn shaft in one direction or the other. This will cause the nuts 95 and 96 to move either 7 in or out to compress the central spring and decrease the tension oi the end springs, or vice versa. Any movement of the chassis with relation to the running gears or wheels of the car is resisted by the springs in both directions. The end springs 99 and100 resist all downward movements while the central spring resists'all rebounds. A radius rod 107 is employed in this instance for the usual purpose.

Fig. 37 shows a slight modification oi the cylindrical-shaped housing 93in which shaft 9% is journaled. Adjustable end plates 108 are provided in this instance for adyustmg the tension of the end springs independent of i545 position cl the nutsiio and 90. 'lihis is accomplished by providing theendplate with a threaded sleeve section 109 which projects through the end or the casing. A. nut or end is formed on said sleeve by which it may be turned to adjust the tension of the end spring or springs, and jam nut 110 is provided. for the purpose locking it in the adjusted position.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patcut is l. The combination with a vehicle body, of a pair of crank arms pivotally mounted therein, a shaft secured in the free ends of said arms, a seat, journal brackets on the bottom of said seat through which said shaft extends, means for guiding said seat against tilting movement on the shaft, and cushioning means associated with the shaft and seat for cushioning any up ordown movement of the seat.

2. The combination with a vehicle body, of a pair of crank arms pivotally mounted therein, a shaft secured in the free ends of said arms, a seat, journal brackets on the bottom of said seat through which said shaft extends, means for guiding said seat against tilting movement on the shaft, a housing surrounding the shaft secured to the seat, and spring-actuated means in said housing to resist the turning movement of the shaft.

3. In combination with a vehicle and seat, of a seat supporting means comprising .a rotata'ble threaded member movable with the seat, spaced springs arranged adjacent the threaded member, and nut means interposed between the springs and engaged with the threads of said member for movement to tension either spring on movement of the seat to and from normal position.

4. The combination with a vehicle body and seat, of a seat supporting means comprising a shaft connected to the seat and body for partial rotation, coiled spring means, compression means operable by the shaft for compressing the spring means axially, and manually operable means for adjusting the compression means.

5. The combination with a vehicle body and seat, of a seat supporting means comprising a shaft connected to the seat and body for partial rotation and provided with right and left threaded portions, a nut on each threaded portion of the shaft, a casing slidably engaged with thenuts and rotatable about the shaft, a spring between the nuts compressible by the latter on rotary movement of the shaft, and means for rotating the casing to vary the space between the nuts.

6. The combination with a vehicle body, of a pair of crank arms pivotally mounted therein, a shaft connecting the free ends of the arms, a seat journaled on the shaft, oppositely threaded parts on the shaft, a nut member on each threaded part, a casing surrounding the nut members, coiled springs interposed between the nut members and between each nut'member and the adjacent end of the casing, and means for efiecting relative turning between the nut members and the threaded parts to vary the tension of the springs.

7. The combination with a vehicle body of a relatively movable member, and a cushioning means between the body and member including a coiled spring and a tensioning ioning means between the body and member including a threaded element, a nut on the latter, and a spring adapted to be tensioned by the nut on relative movement between the body and member.

9. The combination with a vehicle body, of a relatively movable member, and a cushioning means between the body and member including a threaded element, a coiled spring thereabout, a nut on the threaded element adapted to advance on'relative rotation of the latter to vary the tension of the spring, and means for effecting relative rotary movement between the threaded element and nut on relative movement between the body and member.

10. In combination with a vehicle and seat, of a seat supporting means comprlsm a rotatable threaded member movable wit the seat, spaced springs arranged about the threaded member, nut means engaged with a threaded shaft, means supporting the shaft for rotary movement, a casing surrounding the threaded part of the shaft, nut means engaged with the threaded shaft and arranged in the casing for sliding movement,

a coiled spring arranged on each side of the nut means and bearing thereon and against the adjacent end of the casing, and means for holding the casing against rotation with the shaft.

12. In combination with a vehicle and seat, of a seat supporting means comprising a threaded shaft, means supporting the shaft for rotary movement, a casin surrounding the threaded part of the sha t, nut means engaged with the threaded shaft and arranged in the casing for sliding movement, a coiled spring arranged on each slde of the nut means and bearing thereon and against the adjacent end of the casing, and means for holding the casing against rotation w th the shaft and adapted to adjust the cas ng about the shaft to vary the tension of the springs subjected thereto by the nut means.

13. In combination with a vehicle and seat, of a seat supporting means comprising a threaded shaft, means supporting the shaft for rotary movement, a casing surrounding the threaded part of the shaft, nut means ALL engaged with the threaded shaft end a? ranged in the casing to? sliding movement; a eoiled spring arranged on each side of the nut means and hearing thereon and against the adjacent end of the casing, a casing, end a Worm gear journziled on the seat and meshing with the gear to hold the casing, against rotation with the shaft and to efieet an adjustment of the casihg about the shaft.

1 1. in combination With a vehicle and a seat, a shaft rotetebly carried by the seat and swingingly mounted on the vehicle whereby the seat is mounted for movement, said shaft 15 being provided with oppositely threaded POTJDIODS? a sectional casing surrounding the threaded portions of the shaft and comprising end sections and an intermediate sec tion, speoed slidehie in the casing and engaged i h a respective threaded ootof the show whe'sehy on sotetion of the ear on the lattes the nuts Will move in opposite directimes, a coiled spring interposed between the nuts other coiled springs one of which is disposed in each end section of the easing to shut the adjacent nut, a peripherally e1- renged gear on the intermediate section of the casing, a worm. gear journsled on the seat and meshing with the gear to adjust the casing around the shaft end adapted for holding the former against rotative movement with the letter means for rotating the Worm gear, and a ti-shaped link pivoted to the upper portion of the seat and having its free terminals pivoted in the vehicle In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses W i "lessee: I r

HA1 F #3 

